Monster Hunter Tales 3: Twisted Reflection Arms-On Preview (PS5) – Because the conception of the sequence, the Monster Hunter Tales subseries has got down to discover a unique side of Capcom’s influential Monster Hunter franchise, being an aforementioned give attention to story when in comparison with the principle sequence.
The place Monster Hunter Wilds did dabble in increasing the principle narrative of the sequence, Monster Hunter Tales 3 leans totally in and delivers a very completely different kind of recreation constructed on the robust foundations already laid for it. The result’s, not less than initially, a robust opening act to a recreation that challenges the perfect in monster-collecting RPGs, leveraging its eclectic forged of monsters to far better impact than simply slaying them.
Even when there may be nonetheless loads of slaying.
Monster Hunter Tales 3: Twisted Reflection Arms-On Preview (PS5) – The Story So Far
An Earnest Starting
The early hours of Monster Hunter Tales 3 is spent establishing the established order for the protagonist and the characters that you simply’re going to spend time with through the journey. In a considerably refreshing twist on a longtime formulation, you tackle a semi-mentorship function as you train a newcomer methods to be a very good ranger out within the area, in so instructing the participant as nicely.
This covers all the fundamentals; exploration, fight and normal development are offered in comprehensible vignettes that by no means really feel too intrusive for returning gamers, and are nonetheless informative for gamers leaping into the sequence at this level. Saying that, it does take some time for a number of the intrigue of the story to begin pulling.
The sport begins with the start of dual Rathalos, and the supposed hazard of such a phenomenon taking place. Fairly than specializing in the bodily menace of the monsters themselves, although, Tales 3 appears a bit extra fascinated about exploring political tensions between two distinct international locations, with the protagonist being the inheritor obvious to Azuria.
In comparison with earlier video games within the sequence, our protagonist is given an honest quantity of sway to contribute to ahead development, relatively than being a silent stand-in for the participant. Whether or not or not this pays off is but to actually be clear to me at this early stage, nevertheless it actually is a refreshing change and avoids the pratfalls that silent protagonists can usually stumble into. What stays to be seen is that if Tales 3 can keep away from the equal pratfalls of a voiced protagonist.
Regardless of this solely being the early hours of the sport, I do discover myself worrying about how a lot acquainted territory is being trodden, if not by way of the attitude of different characters. It’s all nicely and good being the professional protagonist, however I do roll my eyes barely that we are those being saddled with instructing others. It’s a unique perspective, however the perform is identical.
In Spirit Of Exploration
If there’s one factor that has stood out to me within the opening hours of Tales 3, it’s the renewed give attention to exploration and the liberty to traverse the world as you see match. Monster using isn’t new to the Tales sequence, nevertheless it actually feels extra pronounced right here than it did beforehand. Throughout the first 5 minutes of gameplay you’re hovering by way of the sky on a Rathalos of your individual, into the principle citadel city.
The impression is certainly one of confidence, and belief. It by no means felt like the sport was arbitrarily telling me “no.” The protagonist of Tales 3 is an skilled rider, it solely is smart that we’re given the prospect to embody that. That doubles for each different monster that you simply elevate, with every having their very own talents to make use of. The place loads of monsters can fly on gusts of wind, others can scale partitions and see you exploring new areas.
In an RPG all about elevating monsters – or ‘monsties’ – it feels good to have the ability to work with them exterior of battle.
If It Isn’t Damaged…
The foundations of Monster Hunter Tales 3 very a lot attracts on what got here earlier than, and that goes from battle system to the way you’ll develop your group of ‘monsties.’ You’ll discover monster dens and rummage for eggs you could hatch at your property base, with out understanding what you’ll get earlier than you hatch them.
You’ll get a touch as to how ‘uncommon’ a Monstie is perhaps, however that’s about it. In essence, it’s enjoying with gacha mechanics with none type of monetisation. I’m undecided if I favor this technique over the extra conventional “capturing”, nevertheless it lends a unique flavour to constructing a group that I did recognize.
I used to be rising every of my monsters from scratch, I think about I’ll develop ever extra connected to them as I maintain journeying. There’s a cause why so many RPGs use this technique of party-building, and it’s tried and examined to be a surefire strategy to get us to be invested in how they develop. Take the eclectic forged of Monster Hunter throughout practically twenty years of releases, and I can see why Capcom have gone for a 3rd time round.
Monster Fighter
For gamers who aren’t already accustomed to the Tales subseries, fight manages to well implement the training side of the core Monster Hunter sequence, and translate it to a turn-based equal that rewards you liberally for studying in regards to the monsters you’re combating.
Some monsters are going to need to assault you with pace assaults, which means you need to overwhelm them with energy ones. If you happen to and a monster assault on the similar time, the results of this rock-paper-scissors conundrum will decide who takes the brunt of the assault.
You’ll steadily find out how every enemy behaves and methods to cope with them, which is a little more partaking than simply urgent the precise transfer. That is supplemented by every weapon kind being advantageous for damaging explicit monster components, and being able to providing particular assaults with using stamina.
Thus far, Monster Hunter Tales 3 is ticking all the precise bins for an RPG of this ilk. It captures the spirit of Monster Hunter, whereas nonetheless managing to face out by itself and never really feel like a mere spin-off and throwaway title. Tales 3 is a fully-featured launch that deserves the eye of anybody fascinated about both Monster Hunter, or RPGs.
The true questions lie in seeing the place this story truly goes within the meantime. I’ve religion that this setup can be explored not less than considerably competently, even when the early hours of the sport do commerce in some fairly typical RPG setups.
Monster Hunter Tales 3: Twisted Reflection is due out on March 13, 2026 on PS5, PC, Nintendo Swap 2 and Xbox Collection X/S.
